Vapor-rectifier.



S. W. FARNSWORTH.-

VAPOR RECTIFIER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6. I9I4..

Patented Oct. 30, 191?.

WITNESSES $041M I ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT oon.

SIDNEY W. FAB'NSWOBTH, F PITTSBURGH, IENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TOWESTING-HOUSE ELECTRIC AND IEEIIANU'FAC'III'IJ'RIITG- COMPANY, A CORPORATION OFPENN SYLVANIA,

- VAPOR-RECTIFIER.

' Vapor-Rectifiers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to vapor apparatus and more particularly to liquidelectrodes therefor.

p The object of my invention is to construct a liquid electrode of thecharacter specified which will be but slightly affected by violentvmechanical agitation and which will readily dissipate heat.

- In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a view, in section, of myinvention-and Fig.

2 is a plan View of the same. Figs. 3 and 5 are plan viewsofmodifications, and Figs. 4 and 6 are 'views, in section, ofthestructures shown in Figs. 3 and 5, respectively.

A containing receptacle 1 of any suitable material, such, for example,as steel, is provided with an anode2, insulated therefrom, as shown at3, and with a liquid cathode 4 of any suitable material, such forexample, as mercury. In the operation of devices of this character, asis well known in the art, a rectifying arc flows between the anode andthe cathode, being confined to the central portion of the latter bymeans of a refractory insulating ring 5. Rectifiers of this type arefrequently mounted upon electric v locomotives or similar movingvehicles wherein the mercury of the cathode is subjected to violentagitation, with consequent disturbance and instability of the arc. Inorder to eliminate this defect, I submer e a plate 6 of some refactorymaterial, suc for example, as steel, in the liquid of the cathode. Steelis especially suited for this purpose'because it does not amalgamate orotherwise combine with the substances ordinarily employed for liquidelectrodes. rliurthermore, steel being a comparatively good conductor ofheat, will transmit to the wall of the container a large amount'oftheheat that is generated at the surface of the oathode.

bottom of the container by any suitable means,'such, for example, asbolts 9 engaging threaded lugs 10 that are welded to the container. Theupper surface of the plate 6 is provided with a number'o f intersectingThe plate 6 may be fastened to the Specificationof Letters Patent.Patented 0 f 30, 191 7, Application filed April 6, 914. Serial No.829,825;

grooves 7 as clearly shown in Fig. 2 and, I from the bottomof thesegrooves, a number of openings 8 extend to the lower surface of theplate. In the operation of the device, a large portion ,of the cathodemetal will rest in these grooves and the cohesion between thisportionand the liquid overlying the plate will greatly retard the free movementof the latter. During rapid acceleration or' violent breaking of thevehicle, the cathode material of a large portion of the cathode maybemomentarily carried to one side of the. container but I find that asufficient amount will remain in the grooves 7' to insure a steady arc.The openings 8 insure a free pathof escape for mercury that may find itsway beneath the plate, allowing it tprise to the active portionof theelectro e.

1912 wherein is disclosed a somewhat similar structure but the uppersurface of the grooved plates in this foreign patent intentionallyprojects above the liquid of the electrode, the purpose being todistribute the arc and cause a more uniform heating of the electrode.The grooved plate in my device is never intended to be exposed exceptunder abnormal conditions. It is not necessary to provide any specialmeans for enlarging the active portion of the cathode since I find that,with the amount of current ordinarily employed in a device" of thecharacter indicated, the are will extend to the entire surface of thecathode inclosed by the ring 5. i I

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4, I findthat the liquid of the cathode may be effectually restrained fromViolent splashing bymounting a plurality. of members 12 directly on thebottom of the container. These may be short pieces of rod or pipe andmay be atconsider the pipe particularly effective since .tached to thecontainer in any suitable manner, such, for example, as by welding. I

it forms a plurality of small cups, each of which restrains a certainamount of the cathode liquid.

In the form of device shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a ring member 13 isattached to the bottomof the container, in a similar manner to themember 6 in Fig. 1, and is provided with an interior flange or seat 14.Resting on the seat 14 is a grid 15 of any suitable material, such, forexample, as steel, which retards the free movement of the cathodematerial,

Obviously, my invention may be modified in various ways withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof and, therefore, I do not desire to berestricted to the specific forms illustrated but intend that myinvention shall cover, in general, all means for mechanicallyrestraining and preventing free motion of the electrode material withrespect to the container. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is; 1

1. In vapor electric apparatus, the combination with a liquid electrode,of a member submerged slightly below the surface thereof and having aplurality of depressions in its upper surface, said member beingsubstantially coextensive with the active portion of said electrode.

2. In vapor electric apparatus, the come bination with a liquidelectrode, of a member submerged slightly below the surface thereof andhaving a plurality of grooves in its upper face, said member beingsubstantially coextensive with the active portion of said electrode 7 3.In vapor electric apparatus, the combination with a liquid electrode, ofa member submerged slightly below the surface thereof and having aplurality of intersecting grooves in its upper face.

masses 4:. In vapor electric apparatus, the combination with a liquidelectrode, of a mem ber submerged therein andhaving a plurality ofintersecting grooves in its upper face and a plurality of openingsextending through said member from the bottom of gaid grooves to thelower face of the mem- 5. In a vapor rectifier comprising a containingreceptacle and suitable electrodes therein, the combination with aliquid elec trode, ofa member submerged slightly below the surfacethereof and attached to the bottom of the receptacle and provided with aplurality of grooves in the upper face thereof. 7

6. In a vapor rectifier comprising a containing receptacle and suitableelectrodes therein, the combination with a liquid elec- SIDNEY W.FARNSWORTI-I. Witnesses:

DE. CARPENTER, B. B. Hmns.

